Liatris plant named ‘BCLT-08.001’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Liatris spicata  (L.) Willd. named ‘BCLT-08.001’ originated as an open controlled cross of  Liatris spicata  (L.) Willd. ‘Cobalt’. The present variety is similar to its parents in that it is a relatively compact plant with strong stems. It differs from its parents in that its lower leaves are resistant to blackening and are so wavy that they can be corkscrew in form. It has bright inflorescences that are resistant to drooping, and good commercial characteristics.

Botanical classification: Liatris spicata (L.) Willd.

Variety denomination: ‘BCLT-08.001’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Compositae family. The botanical name of the plant is Liatris spicata (L.) Willd. ‘BCLT-08.001’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from the controlled crosses of the commercial variety Liatris spicata var. ‘Cobalt’. The parent was a dwarf variety that was openly pollinated. The present variety is similar to its parent in that it is a relatively compact plant with strong stems. It differs from its parent in that its lower leaves are resistant to black spotting from fungal diseases and are so wavy that they can be corkscrew in form. It also differs in that it has bright inflorescences that are resistant to drooping.

The variety ‘BCLT-08.001’ has attractive, bright inflorescences, compact growth habit, and good commercial characteristics.

The new cultivar ‘BCLT-08.001’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BCLT-08.001’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence and foliage.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit and foliage.

FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, foliage, and inflorescence.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the base of the plant.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of inflorescences of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of inflorescences of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant shown in the figures is approximately a year old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from a grown plant.

‘BCLT-08.001’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

-   The plant:     -   -   Origin.—Open controlled cross of Liatris spicata var.             ‘Cobalt’. The plant blooms in the late spring. The plants             prefer cool and bright conditions. The blooms typically last             2 to 3 weeks.         -   Form.—Upright, compact perennial. A typical plant with a             mature inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately             20″ high and has a diameter of 12″ when grown in a 6″ pot             with appropriate soil amendments.         -   Growth.—Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is a             raceme and is large. Sap watery. The plant consists of many             stems grown from a single root. No lateral branching.         -   Stems.—1 to 5. Stiff/erect. The surface of young stems is             glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The older/lower             portions of the stems are R.H.S. 59 C (red-purple group) and             5 mm in diameter. Middle portions of the stems, with no buds             or inflorescences, are 5 mm in diameter and R.H.S. 144 B             (yellow-green group).         -   Foliage.—Abundant. Leaves alternate on stem. Progressively             reduced in size upward. Shape of leaf. — Simple. Linear to             lanceolate at end. Margins are entire. Margins are wavy. On             some leaves the abaxial and adaxial surfaces reverse.             Venation. — Parallel. A central vein dominates on the             underside of the leaf. Texture. — Puberulent/slightly hairy;             top and bottom surfaces same. Color. — Midvein and majority             of leaf surfaces are R.H.S. 145 D (yellow-green group) just             above leaf attachment. Developed and fully expanded foliage,             both upper and lower surfaces, are 137 A (green group).             Leaves are as wide as 12 mm and 18.5 cm long at base of             plant. No petioles present. -   Buds:     -   -   Form.—Globose with wavy, imbricate, lanceolate to deltoid,             smooth bracts. Buds can be 12 mm long and still unopened.             Bracts on mature buds are R.H.S. 139 C (green group) with             tips that are R.H.S. 72 B (red-purple group). Aspect. —             Smooth. Arrangement. — Sessile. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Racemose. Terminal, with younger disk heads developing             below. As many as 140 disks per inflorescence. Flowers do             not produce a fragrance. The rachis for the raceme is strong             and upright. Rachis is R.H.S. 60 B (red-purple group) and 4             mm in diameter. Florets have anthers and style. Racemes are             long-lasting, up to three weeks. Shape: Racemose. Size of             Inflorescence: Elongated raceme. A typical inflorescence can             grow as large as 4 cm. in diameter, and 15 cm high.             Appearance: Showy. Sessile flower heads and involucral             bracts. Discoid flower head. Flat. 7-13 tube flowers per             head. Involucral bracts — imbricate in several rows. Bracts             are lanceolate, margins are scarious. No chaff. Bracts are             striated, alternately between R.H.S. 145 D (yellow-green             group) and R.H.S. 137 A (green group) at base and tips that             are R.H.S. 72 B (red-purple group). Receptacle is 2 to 3 mm             in diameter. Bracts range in size from 10 mm to 20 mm tall             and 10 mm wide. -   Florets:     -   -   General.—Epigynous — growing on top of the ovary. Only             tubular flowers. Disk flowers perfect and complete. Corolla:             Tubular. 5 — merous. Petals are typically 6 mm long. Tube is             5 mm long. Petal color — base R.H.S. 155 A (white group).             Tip R.H.S. 77 B (purple group). Stamens. — 5 stamens.             Filament is approximately 5 mm long. Filament is R.H.S. 155             A (white group). Anther is 2 mm long. United by their             anthers. Anthers are R.H.S. 79 A (purple group). Stigma. —             One style each. Blunt. Style is typically 15 mm long. The 5             mm at the base is R.H.S. 155 A (white group). The upper 10             mm at its tip is and R.H.S. 77 B (purple group). Each style             has two stigmas. Ovary. — Ovary is inferior. R.H.S. 145 C             (yellow-green group). 5 mm long by 2 mm wide. Calyx/Pappus:             General. — Many pilose bristles. Aspect. — smooth and             glaucescent. Shape. — linear. Size. — 6 mm long. Color. —             R.H.S. 145 D (yellow green group) at base and R.H.S. 72 B             (red-purple group) at tips.         -   Fruit.—Not observed.         -   Disease resistance.—Resistant to Pythium. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Liatris spicata (L.) Willd. plant named ‘BCLT-08.001’ substantially as herein shown and described. 